As the NBA season resumes after the All-Star break, teams are preparing for the final stretch of the 2025-26 schedule, which consists of roughly 26 to 29 games. This year’s All-Star Game, which introduced an exciting U.S. vs. World format, marked a notable return to form with its largest audience in over a decade, drawing an average of 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo. The event reached a peak viewership of 9.8 million during a brief window from 7 to 7:15 p.m. EDT.
Prior to the main event, the Rising Stars Game featured 28 of the league’s top rookies, sophomores, and G League players. Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe shone brightly, earning the title of unanimous MVP after scoring 23 points in two matchups, leading his team to victory.
The spotlight now shifts to the Rookie of the Year race, which seems to be narrowing down to a few standout candidates. Emerging talents like Edgecombe, along with Cooper Flagg from the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, have made strong impressions throughout the season. The latest odds compiled by Rookie Wire from BetMGM Sportsbook continue to reflect the ongoing competition, expected to evolve as the season progresses.
Currently, Edgecombe holds odds of +8000, while Knueppel is at +400, and Flagg leads the pack with impressive odds of -800, indicating strong confidence in his performance.
As the league returns to action, fans can look forward to an exciting finish, with rising stars vying for recognition and teams battling for playoff positions, ensuring a thrilling end to the season.